Man kills family of four in Amethi over extramarital affair, says police

Chandan Verma, the prime suspect in the murder of a school teacher, his wife, and two minor daughters in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi, has confessed to committing the crime. According to Amethi Superintendent of Police Anoop Singh, Verma had been involved in an extramarital affair with Poonam, the wife of the deceased teacher, Sunil, for the past 1.5 years. A recent falling out with her led him to commit the brutal murders.

On Thursday, Verma entered the family’s home with several armed men and fired 10 rounds from a single pistol, killing Sunil, Poonam, their 6-year-old daughter Drishti, and 1-year-old daughter. All four victims were declared dead at the hospital. According to police, the argument between Verma and Poonam had escalated, pushing him to carry out the violent act. Verma confessed that stress from the soured relationship had driven him to kill the entire family.

Verma was arrested the next day at a toll plaza in Noida while trying to flee toward Delhi. Police caught him after tracing a disturbing WhatsApp message he had posted before the killings, which read, “Five people will die, I will show you soon.” Verma sustained injuries during a shootout when he attempted to grab an officer’s gun while being apprehended.

Poonam had previously lodged a complaint against Verma for stalking and molestation, under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. She had also mentioned in her complaint that Verma had repeatedly threatened her and her family. This prior complaint made him the prime suspect when the murders occurred.

Police are continuing their investigation, focusing on recovering the pistol used in the crime and the Bullet motorbike Verma rode while fleeing the scene.